US-Brazil Workshop on Frugivory and Seed Dispersal; Rio Quente, Brazil, August 6-12, 2000

这项美国-巴西奖将支持2000年8月6-12日在巴西Pousada do Rio Quente举行的关于果树和种子传播的研讨会。该奖项包括来自14个不同美国机构的15名美国代表参加研讨会的旅费和生活费。这是关于这一主题的一系列讲习班中的第三次，前两次分别于1985年和1991年在墨西哥举行，产生了一些出版物，影响了这一相对较新的领域的发展。此外，道格拉斯·J·莱维博士将进行一次有计划的访问，会见韦斯利·席尔瓦博士和毛罗·加莱蒂博士，以敲定研讨会-研讨会的后勤工作。了解种子传播者在植物人口统计学中的作用以及水果在脊椎动物种群动态中的作用是保护战略的重要组成部分。在世界上的一些地方，大多数木本植物结果实，依靠脊椎动物来散播种子。据估计，水果资源支持的脊椎动物生物量高达80%。除了它的实际重要性之外，水果和果食性动物的相互作用是两种主要的动植物互惠关系之一(另一种是污染)。它的理论发展对共同进化观的形成产生了影响，部分原因是它之前的理论框架被证明是不正确的。其目前的理论框架正处于不确定的过渡状态。因此，现在是该领域的人们会面、分享想法、建立合作和确定未来行动方针的关键时刻。专题讨论会-讲习班的会议记录将予以公布。选定的地点以其生物多样性而闻名，将吸引广泛的国际参与，包括大量拉丁美洲学生。

This U.S.-Brazil award will support a symposium-workshop on Frugivory and Seed Dispersal in August 6-12, 2000 in Pousada do Rio Quente, Brazil. The award includes funding for travel and subsistence for 15 US delegates from 14 different US institutions to the symposium-workshop. This is the third in a series of workshops on this topic, the previous two held in 1985 and 1991 in Mexico, resulted in a number of publications that shaped the development of the relatively new field. Additionally, Dr. Douglas J. Levey will conduct a planned visit to meet with Drs. Wesley Silva and Mauro Galetti to finalize logistics for the symposium-workshop.Understanding the role of seed dispersers in plant demography and the role of fruit in vertebrate population dynamics is an important component of conservation strategies. In parts of the world, most woody plants produce fruit and depend upon vertebrates to disperse their seeds. Estimates of vertebrate biomass supported by fruit resources are as high as 80%. Aside from its practical importance, fruit-frugivore interactions represent one of the two major plant-animal mutualisms (the other being pollution). Its theoretical development has been influential in shaping views of co evolution, partially because its previous theoretical framework proved incorrect. Its current theoretical framework is in a state of uncertain transition. Thus now is a critical time for people in the field to meet, share ideas, establish collaborations, and settle upon a future course of action. The proceedings of the symposium-workshop will be published.The selected site is known for its biological diversity, and will attract a broad international participation, including a large number of Latin American students.***